India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur admitted that indoor training doesn't help her team prepare fully for the much anticipated Women's T20 World Cup final against Australia on Sunday.
It will be more than a week since Kaur’s side last took to the field as the semifinal against England was washed out and the women in blue didn't get the required game time. They last played against Sri Lanka where the side triumphed to top the table.
“We haven’t been outdoors much and we didn't manage to play the important game against England,” said Kaur.
“We were all in touch and doing indoor training, but it doesn’t give you full confidence because the surface is totally different. Everyone was in good touch and thinking what they can do for the team. We did get rest also because when you're playing for a long time, you need a break.
“No-one wanted to take rest, everyone was so keen, everyone was on the ground and ready to deal with the situation.”
They might have struggled to get out but India has been stretched in close games, getting home by three runs against New Zealand, 17 runs against Australia and 18 against Bangladesh.
India has batted first in all the four league games and on a big day like a final, chasing might get difficult. However, the eves can take heart out of the fact that they managed 173 batting second to beat Australia by seven wickets in the recent tri-series.
The two sides’ opening game clash saw 13,432 fans pack Sydney Showground and given over 75,000 tickets have been sold for the final at the MCG, rising to the occasion will be a big challenge.
Kaur, who played in front of a sold-out crowd in the 2017 Cricket World Cup Final against England at Lord’s, encouraged her team to relish the big stage.
“It’s a great feeling. It’s the first time we’re going to see 90,000 people in the stadium and we’re really looking positive for that,” she said.
“We are used to playing when a lot of crowd is around us. Sometimes there’s no noise going around in the stadium so we need to keep an eye on each of us. It’s a big moment.
“Rather than thinking about what is going to trouble us, it’s only about being there, enjoying the moment and giving our best.
“One thing, we have to keep in mind Sunday is a fresh day, a fresh start. We have to start from ball one. We’ve done quite well in the league games. Both teams are under pressure and both are capable of winning.”
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